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Part 11
(BROKEN HEDGE)
©️Toyin Taiwo
FLASH BACK
SOMA
I didn’t take the news of my father’s death lightly. I was in my final year, we just resumed first semester. I was devastated. Everyone calmed me but I refuse to be comforted. Crystal really helped comforting me. After everyone left, she came to my room to ask if I need anything before going to sleep as she was supposed to sleep in my sister’s room.
She felt really sorry for me, I was still in a bad shape. She held me in her arms cuddling me. I started having a funny feeling as she cuddled up with me. I looked into her teary and concerned eyes and started k!ssing her. She didn’t k!ss me back.
She withdrawn from me” Somadina, we shouldn’t be doing this, your father just died please get hold of yourself” She said.
I didn’t listen, I just want the pain to go away. I k!ssed her again, make her lay on her back and I started undressing her.
“Somadina, stop!” Crystal said firmly.
“Crystal, I want you, help me ease my pain, you are the only one who can take this pain away, please….” I said still on top of her looking into her eyes.
She started crying. “You promise to wait till I’m ready for this, I’m not ready….”
“Yes I promised but please, do this for me, help me take the pain away” I pleaded.
“Will you be fine after this, will the pain go away?
I nodded, I knew she doesn’t want it, but I was selfish. I had my way with her, she cried all through. I took her v!rginity that night. When everything was over I realized I made a grave mistake.
“What have I done?” I asked myself with my hands on my head.
“Crystal, I’m sorry, I’m deeply sorry I took advantage of you” I said using my hand to smoothen her scattered hair.
She didn’t say anything, she was just crying, she tried to stand up but she was still feeling pain down there. I helped her up and took her to the bathroom she couldn’t do anything, she just stood there crying, it really broke my heart that I caused her so much pain. I ran a warm water bath for her and left the bathroom, I waited for her to come out but she was still there. I knocked, she didn’t answer.
“Crystal, are you okay” she didn’t reply.
“Crystal I’m coming in now” I said and opened the bathroom door. I met her sitted on the bathroom floor sobbing.
“Crystal, please forgive me. I’m truly sorry” She was just starring at me.
I carried her into the bath tub, removed her clothes and bathed her. I wrapped her up with my towel and carried back into the room. I gave her a shirt and short to wear, it was late already, I followed her to my sister’s room, she was already asleep so she lay quietly beside her. I bade her good night.
I went back to my room, removed the bed spread and soaked it along side with her clothes.
The next day, I couldn’t bring myself to go and check on her maybe she has left or not. I stayed put in my room. Later that morning, I heard a knock on my door, I opened the door and was surprised to see her.
“I brought your breakfast” She said.
“Good morning” She said and left. She returns later with my clothes.
“I’m leaving this morning” she informed.
“Crystal I’m really sorry about last night…
“Please I don’t want to talk about it as far as I’m concerned, nothing happened”
“Crystal!
“Hope you are better this morning?”
“Yes I’m much better”
“I can see that, no sulking today, you are much more better than yesterday.
“Crystal I’ve you forgiven me”
“There’s nothing to forgive, I’m leaving. When are you coming back to school?
“Next week, I’ll bring your clothes along, I washed them this morning”
“Ok, take good care of yourself, we’ll talk on phone”
“Let me see you off”
“No need, just eat your food. Bye”
I pulled her into and embrace. “Thank you for standing by me, I love you” I released her and she left.
I returned to school the following week and things were still normal between us, though we never for once talked about that night ever again.
A month later, she came to my hostel and told me she’s no longer interested in the relationship that she wanted out.
“Crystal is this about what happened last month, but I thought we’ve moved on”
“I don’t have any reason to give, I quit”
I pleaded with her, but her mind was made up. She also told me never to call him or talk to him except in the presence of our friends. She also told me not to tell anyone about this if I don’t want to destroy the little memory of us that she have left.
She said all this and left my room. Ever since then, she doesn’t pick my call or returned my messages. We never for once talked one on one..
Back to present
Everyone sighed heavily while Soma continued.
“The torture was so much for me that I couldn’t take it any longer that I had to leave the country because of her immediately after service year. I thought if I stay far away from her, I’ll be able to get her off my mind. I’ve always live with the regret of that one night. It was that night that ruined my relationship with her.
The thought of her filled my heart to the extent that I can’t bring myself to get into an another relationship. I only lie to you guys that I’m in a relationship, the truth is that I’m not.
I was surprised to see her show up at my door step some weeks back, she doesn’t know my place, she didn’t come for the house warming party as well.
Then she pulled another stunt in my house, she pretended as if she doesn’t know me. It was later I found out that she was my cousin’s boss. She was sick and she stopped by to visit her. I’m very sure she wouldn’t have come if she knew that was my house.
The next week, I went to her office to talk things through with her, still she feigned amnesia for him. She even told my cousin to call the security to throw me out.
Feso: Are things this worse between you two?
Enitan: Jesus! And no one suspected anything.
Onochie: This is serious.
Hauwa: No wonder she calls his name in full back then. But I didn’t suspect a thing.
Enitan: Hmm….. that’s true. Soma…dina!
Zite: I think it’s time to hear Crystal’s side of the story.
Feso: Crystal please step out.
.
Part 12
(BROKEN HEDGE)
©️Toyin Taiwo
CRYSTAL
I stepped out and stood before everyone.
Feso: Why did you break up with Soma?
I opened my mouth and tell my side of the story.
FLASH BACK
A month after the incident that happened in Somadina’s house. I missed my period. I decided to take a pregnancy test to confirm my fears, I was pregnant. I cried, I wailed. It’s just one night and I didn’t even thought of taking any precautions what so ever, even after that night. I blamed myself for my stupidity. It was my first time, but still I should have known better. I thought of my mother, she’s going to be disappointed. After every sound doctrine and good upbringing she gave me. I made up my mind to tell Soma that weekend.
I called Somadina and told him we need to talk but I told him I want to come over to his place. I preferred to meet him one on one rather than say it on phone. He said he’s around that I should come.
I was about to leave but a friend came to pay me a visit. I had to wait till she leaves before I could go see Somadina.
My visitor left and I went to his hostel. I got there and I met all the guys in his room gisting. I hugged everyone of them one after the other but I was not happy with him because I expected him to tell me the guys are around so I could stay back. Since I told him I have something important to discuss.
“You didn’t get my message?” Somadina asked
“No” I said and brought out my phone to check, then I saw his message, he had already told me to stay back that our friends were in his place.
I replied him back right there, I told him I just got the message. I sat with them as they continued gisting. I wasn’t in the mood but I didn’t want to leave just like that in order not to arouse any suspicion.
_____________Toyin Taiwo
Then Onochie said. “Guys you won’t believe a girl once claimed she was pregnant for me”
“If any girl tell me she’s pregnant for me now, she’s on her own. If she knows what is good for her she should better go and abort it” That was Somadina talking. I couldn’t believe my ears.
“Soma, You are mean” Jay said laughing.
“This is not a matter of been mean. My father just passed away, I have so many responsibilities now being the first child and the only son. I have to take care of my mother and siblings” He explained.
“Soma I really pitied you when your father died, it’s not easy to be the first child o” Onochie added.
“Imagine a girl now want to add herself and the pregnancy to my responsibilities, no way” Soma concluded.
I was closed to tears but I fought it back, I came to tell him I was pregnant and he had indirectly answered. Maybe he already knew I was pregnant and seized that opportunity to give me the piece of his mind. I told them I was leaving. Some of the guys offered to see me off but I told them not to bother.
I held the tears till I got to my room that day. I locked my door, throw myself on my bed and wept uncontrollably. What will I do with my life, Somadina just loose his father and he’s not ready to bear any other responsibilities aside that of his family.
I started thinking of how to get myself out of that mess. I couldn’t tell my female friends, they would be surprised on how I got pregnant without a known boyfriend.
I made up my mind to keep everything to myself. I thought of my mother, she has invested so much in me and I paid her back with shame. People will blame her for my mistake, they will say if she had a husband she would have raised me properly. People believe a single parent can do it all alone. But my mother tried her best, it was me who failed her. I cried the more. I have only one choice if I don’t want to fail my mother and that was ab0rtion. Also people will say that we are under a curse because my grandmother gave birth to only my mother. My mum also gave birth to me. Now that I don’t have anyone to claim the paternity of my child then that means I’ll probably end up in their shoes, if I don’t get rid of the baby.
That night I cried myself to sleep, I later woke up in the middle of the night. Then I thought about the disadvantages of ab0rtion. What if I die, what will be my mother’s gain after all this years of labour and sacrifices.
_____________Toyin Taiwo
Where do I want her to start from when she had already reached her menopause stage. That will be back to square one for her, she will die barren. I thought and fresh tears flows down my cheeks.
Even if I don’t die and the ab0rtion affected my womb and I couldn’t have another child in this future. That means I used my hands to destroy my life. I will also dash my mum’s hope. Imagine my mum who had already counted on me that I’ll give her many children. What if my case turned out this way if I have the ab0rtion. I did a rethink and changed my decision.
My grandmother once told me if I ever get pregnant, I should not abort it, she badly wanted to see my child before she died. She said that she will gladly carry all the responsibilities. She said she will make sure it doesn’t affect my school. She said she will take care of the baby for me. I remembered I told her then that nothing like that will happen because I’m not even s€xually active. Unfortunately one night changed everything for me.
I decided to keep the baby, I can’t tell my mum about it, I’ll just go to my grandma’s house and inform her. She’ll know how to break the news to my mum.
We have just one month to finish the semester. Instead of going home for the break, I planned on going to my grandma’s instead.
The semester ended and I called my mum, I told her I won’t come home straight.
That I want to go visit my grandma in Enugu the next day to spend some days with her before coming home and she agreed. That night, I started parking my things.
Then I felt a sharp pain in my abdomen. I sat down to relax a bit, then I later continued arranging my things. Then the pain came again very severe this time, I screamed in pain, holding my tummy with my hands. Then I felt something flowing down my laps. I pulled my skirt up and I saw blood flowing and already dripping on the floor. “What’s happening to me?” I bursted into tears.
Quote
#You can be in the midst of friends and loved ones and still be lonely#
___________Toyin Taiwo
I can’t call my friends, I was helpless. The only neutral person that came to my mind was my cab driver. I called him that that I needed him asap, it’s an emergency. He promised to come. Some minutes later he entered my room and helped me into the car. He asked if I want to go to the school clinic, but I told him to take me to a hospital in town.
I gave him the name and description and he took me there. I was rushed to the emergency. I asked the doctor to please save my baby but he said he’s sorry that I already had miscarriage. I cried for my unborn baby. He said I’m going to be admitted for a week. I was wheeled to the ward. I can’t call anyone, I was all alone, my cab man left because it was already getting late.
The next day I called my mum that I won’t be going to my grandma’s place again that, I had to attend a one week program. I also called my friends and told them the same thing I told my mum.
It was only the cab man who came to check on me twice through out my stay in the hospital. I was discharged a week later. I called my cab man who took me back to my hostel.
After everything that happened, I knew I can’t continue my relationship with Somadina. I can’t be dating him with all the secrets I was carrying. Reason why I broke up with him. I still loved him but after the incident the only thing I felt for him was resentment. I know if I don’t cut myself from him, the feeling may spring up again and I don’t want to have anything to do with him ever again.
Back to Present
Everyone sighed heavily, my females friends were already crying. Somadina sat with his head bowed in his hands. Hauwa, Enitan and Ezinne came forward to hug me. I was crying too. Even the guys were all getting mushy.
Hauwa: You shouldn’t have done this alone, when you have people like us.
Enitan: You know we would never have judged you.
Ezinne: I’m so sorry for your loss, you really went through a lot.
They led me back to my seat.
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God bless you
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